A MAORI LEGACY

Evening Star, Issue 12258, 27 July 1904, Page 6

A MAORI LEGACY

An important Maori will case is set down for argument at Auckland on Friday. Hinni Te Kani, who dind about seven" years ago, left a widow. Maita, and one' son, Heta, who died last year. After Hirini's death Heta married. ;..nd at Heta's death there were three children of the mariage. Part of the will in dispute is as follows f I dev:ss all that section 314, portion of ivaiti, containing ninety acres, to my said trustee, John Coleman, upon trust from the income derived therefrom to pay to s-aid Malta Te Kani an annuity of £2*o so Ion? as she shall remain unmarried, and thereafter, upon death of said Maita Te tvam, or her remarriage, whichever' shall happen firsr. to convey the said section 314, portion of Kaiti aforesaid, to mv sun, Heta Te Kani, provided that should the said Heta Te Kani die before the said Maita Te Kani, or bsfore her marriage, whichever shall happen first, then my said trustee rha.l stand seized of the said section 314 for the benefit, of that person who or whom would be found by the Native land Courtto bo my successor in the matter of any portion of Kaiti, my property, not herein before specified, devised." Maita ip still alive and unmarried. Heta was advised that the will gave him the whole property absolutely. He agreed to sell it for £2,000 to Mr S. Oxciiham, also to free the annuitv •ind pay the native duty. After Heta's death application wu* made to the Native Land Court to appoint. Hirini's successors, •Hid that Court appointed Heta's children. The laud was put up for sale to clear the debts, and it was bought bv Mr G H Lysnar for £2,700, the purchaser clearing a.l duties and encumbrances. The Court will have to decide if H<:ta took anv interest under the will, and if 'the agreement to Uxenham is bindinsr.